Ultimately, Carlos decided not to test the waters of death with his own life.
Just now, when faced with the Second Rank Human Face Rock Snake Ghost, his only role was to run faster than Tuck, not holding Tuck back.
If he were to return and encounter a faster, more dangerous Transcendent creature,
the joke would become far too serious.
"It looks like we'll be returning empty-handed."
Carlos, withdrawing his gaze, said with a hint of helplessness.
"In fact, not only have we not returned empty-handed, but we have also acquired a rich haul!"
Tuck's eyes narrowed slightly as he scrutinized the Cave Passage leading to the Demon King Seal, speaking earnestly.
"Right, 'we' have indeed made a substantial gain!"
Carlos nodded, emphasizing the word 'we' particularly heavily.
"Moreover, 'we' have also joined forces to kill a Second Rank Transcendent creature."
"Had you not mentioned it, I wouldn't have realized that 'we' are actually that formidable."
Casting a glance at Carlos, brimming with resentment, Tuck exhaled slowly and continued.
"If it were the two of us who had broken the Demon King Seal, and the bigwigs inside the Ramo Tower City-State's Steam Tower discovered it,"
"the announcement would definitely be, 'Shameless thieves have pried open the Demon King Seal, posing a tremendous threat to the safety of the Ramo Tower City-State.' Then a manhunt would be declared for us."
"But if it were said that your sister, the most esteemed student of the Ramore Wizard Earl, 'Miss Hilor,' had broken the Demon King Seal,"
"the announcement would become, 'The brave Steam Knight 'Hilor' has unlocked the treasure of the Demon King Seal, making a significant contribution to the Ramore Tower City-State.'"
The double standard of one version and two sets of arguments left Carlos stunned.
"You're not wrong. That's a real possibility."
"It's not just a possibility, but an inevitable outcome."
Tuck stated with a steady tone.
"There's still about a week left of the 'Grey Night period.'"
"During this time, it's highly unlikely that adventurers will come to this deep dungeon to investigate the Seal."
"Later on when we go back, find your sister and tell her everything."
"She will naturally know how to handle it."
As Tuck laid out his explanation, Carlos's eyes brightened more and more.
After all, this was the Devil King's treasure,
something countless adventurers lusted after.
Carlos seemed to see fortune beckoning to him.
Tuck, taking a deep breath, shifted his gaze from Carlos and massaged his temples.
This time, Tuck had invited Carlos to collaborate primarily because the fellow possessed a Transcendent bracelet capable of containing "Rune Stones."
Another reason was Carlos's sufficiently powerful background.
If something went awry while attempting to open the Demon King Seal,
at least, Carlos's strong background could offset a great deal of the blame.
And now, the outcome
was better than imagined.
Firstly, Tuck had accomplished the anchoring of the Demon King Seal area.
The system played a huge role, and he experienced the long-awaited transformation.
Secondly, the Demon King Seal was opened, but not completely.
Using Carlos's sister's identity to report upwards would surely result in a reward.
...
In the abandoned Stone Tower area,
bathed in the serene glow of "The Ash Moon,"
Tuck and Carlos emerged one after the other from the passageway of the Stone Tower Cave.
Just as Tuck had predicted,
by deliberately choosing the "Grey Night period" for his operation, the entire process was silent and unnoticed.
Walking through the deserted stony intestines of the alley, Carlos, with his neck shrunken, said,
"Tuck, I've heard recently that a group of people is hunting wizards, and to my knowledge, several apprentice Wizards and even First Rank Wizards have just disappeared without a trace."
"Hmm, I've heard a bit about it too; I'll be careful."
Tuck nodded in acknowledgment.
Located on the outskirts of the Ashen Land, the environment of Ramore City-State was extremely harsh.
There was no lack of mysterious organizations, even cultists who worshipped Evil Gods, lurking here.
Every once in a while, if they didn't stir up some trouble, it would be strange to Tuck.
Upon reaching the main road, Carlos said farewell to Tuck and hurried towards the "High Tower Area" to report the huge gains of the day to his sister.
As for Tuck, he was headed back to the "Underground Nest District."
On the desolate streets, under the cold moonlight, Tuck walked forward while massaging his slightly throbbing temples.
With his S Level [Precision], Tuck could join the world's trajectories and patterns to himself through vision, sensation, touch, and spiritual perception, allowing him to delve into those paths and patterns with extreme precision at any moment.
But the flood of sensations from the world's patterns and trajectories also put significant pressure on Tuck.
At this moment, Tuck was trying to restrain his [Precision].
As Tuck continuously deepened his mastery, the effects of [Precision] gradually waned.
"Precision Vision" saw the texture and trajectory gradually contracting and fading.
The world within his vision began to return to normal.
However, Tuck still retained a part of the texture and trajectory within his normal field of vision.
In this way, it did not interfere with Tuck's normal sight, while also allowing him to scrutinize the world in the dimensions of texture and trajectory.
"The ability of an S Level Transcendent Talent to perceive the world is indeed remarkable."
"It allows me to see the distinct differences among transcendent beings, even their secrets."
"Therefore, managing expressions, actions, and reactions is very important."
"I must not let those with keen senses among the transcendent beings know that I've seen their secrets."
"Texture and trajectory allow me to easily discern the intentions and movements of my enemies, and even their spells, allowing me to anticipate them."
"Precision itself lets me align with all the textures and trajectories for the perfect strike."
With this thought, Tuck exhaled softly.
"The changes brought by an S Level 'Precision' are too significant."
"They have completely overturned my previous fighting methods."
"I need to spend quite some time and effort trying to construct a new fighting style centered around 'Precision'."
"Since I've unlocked the lock and even half a wallhack."
"Then, if I'm going to cheat, I might as well have a cheating playstyle!"
"As long as the method is right, even with just an S Level Talent, an apprentice wizard can possess extremely powerful capabilities."
"Moreover, I'm about to be promoted to a first-rank wizard."
In Tuck's mind surfaced the second-rank core material "Stone Snake Ghost Crystal" he had obtained during his desperate race for life.
As a second-rank core material, its value was extremely high.
"I'll make a trip to the Underground Street tomorrow; not only can I exchange for the core materials needed for the promotion of a first-rank wizard, I might even have quite a surplus."
"A first-rank wizard..."
Tuck's eyes narrowed slightly.
"It's finally coming."
Having crossed into this dangerous world, Tuck had two goals.
The first goal: for the system to truly come into effect.
The second goal: to be promoted to a first-rank wizard.
In this Transcendent World, level and strength are the most genuine forms of existence.
If today Tuck were a "fourth-rank wizard,"
Then he could make that second-rank Human Face Rock Snake Ghost that chased him for several streets obediently coil in front of him, and listen to the story of "Xu Xian and the White Lady."
Currently, the system has started to function robustly.
And the promotion to a first-rank wizard should come as well.
When Tuck snapped back to reality,
The "Gryphon Cave Tavern" under the bleak night sky, with its yellow light seeping through the glass, was already close at hand.
Rubbing his slightly cold hands together, Tuck pushed the door and entered.
The tavern was much more bustling than when Tuck had left.
A dozen more adventurers were gathered in small groups, boasting about this and that under the influence of alcohol.
"A serving of Blackhorn Beef Bread Soup,"
Tuck said to the bartender at the counter.
While waiting, as Tuck captured the textures around him,
The world started to become wondrous.
Ordinary adventurers had their level, sequence, and even life states accurately perceived through Tuck's capture of textures.
"Those three adventurers over there, their aura is solid and thick; their levels are around 18 or 19, tough customers,"
"That adventurer warming by the fire, hmm... appears somewhat depleted, listless."
"During the 'Grey Night period,' many idle adventurers like to indulge themselves."
"And then... there's..."
Tuck paused in his breath, his eyes slowly becoming more focused.
Earlier, when Tuck and Carlos were discussing matters here,
In the shadows near the window and the fireplace, that Transcendent had been in stealth mode, seemingly eavesdropping on their conversation intentionally.
But he just listened and didn't take any action, so Tuck only took an extra glance.
This time, from the moment he pushed the door to when he sat at the counter,
The hidden Transcendent had been keeping his discerning textures fixed on him.
This put Tuck on alert.
"An enemy? Impossible!"
"If there were any, I generally would have dealt with them on the spot, leaving no chance for revenge."
"Or could it be, a long-lost relative, suffering from a terminal illness, looking for me, their only kin, to inherit that immense wealth?"
After pondering for a moment, Tuck shook his head; the thought was truly too fanciful.
"If that's the case..."
Information about several wizards who had disappeared recently surfaced in Tuck's mind.
"They couldn't possibly have set their sights on me, could they?"